Custom 8'-10' pirogue/backwater boat or a 10ft sit on top hybrid kayak setup to fish?


@Shortbow

The Rudder on a Kayak is what controls the direction you are going to be moving. On a kayak, usually the trolling motor ($100-$200) is mounted so that it is stationary and the Rudder controls what direction you go to. Now there are some motors designed for specific kayaks where you control the direction of the propellers instead of using a Rudder system. Thus, you have multiple choices for controlling the kayak. I have also seen trolling motors at the rear of the kayak that is controlled by your foot pedals that would have been your Rudder system.

It is also a much cheaper investment, for everything (except the aftermarket kayak seat if you go that route). The kayak is cheaper than the boat, same with the trolling motor being significantly cheaper. It is also lighter combined than a small boat and motor.
 
Shortbow said:
I do like that they are rotomolded. Way thicker and tougher than the usual kayak plastic. Seamless too.
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Virtually all of the fishing kayaks on the market, with maybe a handful of very expensive exceptions, are rotomolded.

Be aware that for any given length, a rotomolded kayak is going to be heavier than any comparable size composite, royalex, T-formex, or aluminum canoe. SOTs, even more so. If weight saving is your goal, canoes are where it's at.

The stability question always comes up in these discussions, and there are always claims that fishing kayaks are more stable. But those claims are based on assumptions that, a) all canoes are alike, and b) there is only one kind of stability.

There are numerous canoe models that have lower sides amidships and seats on the floor. They can be just as stable as a comparable kayak. By "comparable" I mean similar shaped bottoms. Most of these fishing kayaks have basically flat bottoms that give good stability on flat water. Canoes with flat bottoms are similarly stable. On rough water, flat bottoms are a liability - and flat bottoms are slower, but that's a whole other discussion.

Where the SOT fishing kayaks are unquestionably better....
They are easier to get back onto after falling out. They are less subject to being blown about by wind. Rotomolded hulls are more tolerant of abuse, and are less expensive. Some models offer pedal power (which is the #1 reason I personally would consider choosing a fishing kayak). Many come fully accessorized, which is not a thing with canoes. And of course, they can be less expensive than comparable canoes.

Having said all that, if you want cheap, light, and efficient....


 
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Spenser said:
@Shortbow

The Rudder on a Kayak is what controls the direction you are going to be moving. On a kayak, usually the trolling motor ($100-$200) is mounted so that it is stationary and the Rudder controls what direction you go to. Now there are some motors designed for specific kayaks where you control the direction of the propellers instead of using a Rudder system. Thus, you have multiple choices for controlling the kayak. I have also seen trolling motors at the rear of the kayak that is controlled by your foot pedals that would have been your Rudder system.

It is also a much cheaper investment, for everything (except the aftermarket kayak seat if you go that route). The kayak is cheaper than the boat, same with the trolling motor being significantly cheaper. It is also lighter combined than a small boat and motor.
Click to expand...
This clarifies a few things for me. I've seen a few kayaks with a center mounted propulsion type small motor on the bottom center that appeared fixed, with some type of hand controlled rudder.
FreeMe said:
Virtually all of the fishing kayaks on the market, with maybe a handful of very expensive exceptions, are rotomolded.

Be aware that for any given length, a rotomolded kayak is going to be heavier than any comparable size composite, royalex, T-formex, or aluminum canoe. SOTs, even more so. If weight saving is your goal, canoes are where it's at.

The stability question always comes up in these discussions, and there are always claims that fishing kayaks are more stable. But those claims are based on assumptions that, a) all canoes are alike, and b) there is only one kind of stability.

There are numerous canoe models that have lower sides amidships and seats on the floor. They can be just as stable as a comparable kayak. By "comparable" I mean similar shaped bottoms. Most of these fishing kayaks have basically flat bottoms that give good stability on flat water. Canoes with flat bottoms are similarly stable. On rough water, flat bottoms are a liability - and flat bottoms are slower, but that's a whole other discussion.

Where the SOT fishing kayaks are unquestionably better....
They are easier to get back onto after falling out. They are less subject to being blown about by wind. Rotomolded hulls are more tolerant of abuse, and are less expensive. Some models offer pedal power (which is the #1 reason I personally would consider choosing a fishing kayak). Many come fully accessorized, which is not a thing with canoes. And of course, they can be less expensive than comparable canoes.

Having said all that, if you want cheap, light, and efficient....


Click to expand...
That's something I like to keep in mind while looking and researching any of these setups. Most manufacturers claim a certain model/design or line of boat is the most stable on the market. And in a certain way, they might be correct. Depending on the users height/weight and seating position. There's so many different heights and positions along with body shapes and sizes theres really no way to guarantee like performance for everyone in such a small boat or craft. Then you throw in other factors like, length, shape, design, weight, material, etc and it can be mind boggling to try and figure things out. Even in person when looking at something in the stores i get a little overwhelmed because i don't want to invest in one and wish i'd have went another route. There's a place somewhat close by that sells a wide variety of kayaks and canoes i'm going to see what they have. My brother in law told me recently, they run alot of sales on their boats and it's not uncommon to get $200-$300 or more off.
 
Shortbow said:
This clarifies a few things for me. I've seen a few kayaks with a center mounted propulsion type small motor on the bottom center that appeared fixed, with some type of hand controlled rudder.

That's something I like to keep in mind while looking and researching any of these setups. Most manufacturers claim a certain model/design or line of boat is the most stable on the market. And in a certain way, they might be correct. Depending on the users height/weight and seating position. There's so many different heights and positions along with body shapes and sizes theres really no way to guarantee like performance for everyone in such a small boat or craft. Then you throw in other factors like, length, shape, design, weight, material, etc and it can be mind boggling to try and figure things out. Even in person when looking at something in the stores i get a little overwhelmed because i don't want to invest in one and wish i'd have went another route. There's a place somewhat close by that sells a wide variety of kayaks and canoes i'm going to see what they have. My brother in law told me recently, they run alot of sales on their boats and it's not uncommon to get $200-$300 or more off.
Click to expand...
Have you considered buying whatever used boat in your area looks interesting, at a price you can recover most of if you decide to sell it? It's a good way to learn what works for you and what doesn't. Think of it as renting, but actually more economical. There's no test ride as good as a long term test. Once you have a good handle on it, buying something new isn't such a risk
 
I think something like a NuCanoe would be a perfect set up for what you want to do. I have used both a 10 foot and 12 foot Nucanoe and they’re stable enough to stand up in and offer a really good set up for fishing. You can run a trolling motor on them as well.
 
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